<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>349</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>335</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>111</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>13</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheet</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheet</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings and Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfNetEarningsAndComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings and Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1007 - Disclosure -  Significant accounting policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant accounting policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1008 - Disclosure - Changes in accounting pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ChangesInAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in accounting pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1009 - Disclosure - Segmented information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segmented information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1010 - Disclosure - Business combinations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinations</Role>
      <ShortName>Business combinations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1011 - Disclosure - Capital assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1012 - Disclosure - Exploration and evaluation assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ExplorationAndEvaluationAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Exploration and evaluation assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1013 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1014 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1015 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1016 - Disclosure - Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/Taxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1017 - Disclosure - Long-term debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1018 - Disclosure - Shareholders' capital</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapital</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' capital</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1019 - Disclosure - Capital disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital disclosures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - Equity based compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity based compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1021 - Disclosure - Per share amounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/PerShareAmounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Per share amounts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1022 - Disclosure - Financial instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1023 - Disclosure - Related party disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Related party disclosures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1024 - Disclosure - Supplemental information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1025 - Disclosure - Significant accounting policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant accounting policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1026 - Disclosure - Segmented information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segmented information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1027 - Disclosure - Business combinations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business combinations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinations</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1028 - Disclosure - Capital assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1029 - Disclosure - Exploration and evaluation assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Exploration and evaluation assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ExplorationAndEvaluationAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1031 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1032 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1033 - Disclosure - Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/Taxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1034 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1035 - Disclosure - Shareholders' capital (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapitalTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' capital (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapital</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1036 - Disclosure - Capital disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosures</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1037 - Disclosure - Equity based compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity based compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1038 - Disclosure - Per share amounts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/PerShareAmountsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Per share amounts (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/PerShareAmounts</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1039 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - Related party disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related party disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosures</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1041 - Disclosure - Supplemental information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1042 - Disclosure - Changes in accounting pronouncements (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ChangesInAccountingPronouncementsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in accounting pronouncements (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ChangesInAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1043 - Disclosure - Segmented information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segmented information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1044 - Disclosure - Segmented information (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformationDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Segmented information (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SegmentedInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1045 - Disclosure - Business combinations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business combinations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1046 - Disclosure - Business combinations (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinationsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Business combinations (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/BusinessCombinationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1047 - Disclosure - Capital assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1048 - Disclosure - Capital assets (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssetsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital assets (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1049 - Disclosure - Exploration and evaluation assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Exploration and evaluation assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1051 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1052 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1053 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1054 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1055 - Disclosure - Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1056 - Disclosure - Leases (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LeasesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1057 - Disclosure - Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1058 - Disclosure - Taxes (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1059 - Disclosure - Taxes (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/TaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1061 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1062 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1063 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details 3)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1064 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details 4)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1065 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/LongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1066 - Disclosure -   Shareholders' capital (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapitalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' capital (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapitalTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1067 - Disclosure -   Shareholders' capital (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapitalDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' capital (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/ShareholdersCapitalTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1068 - Disclosure - Capital disclosures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital disclosures (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1069 - Disclosure - Capital disclosures (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosuresDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital disclosures (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/CapitalDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - Equity based compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity based compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1071 - Disclosure - Equity based compensation (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensationDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity based compensation (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/EquityBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1072 - Disclosure - Per share amounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/PerShareAmountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Per share amounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/PerShareAmountsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1073 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1074 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial instruments (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1075 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial instruments (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1076 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial instruments (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1077 - Disclosure - Related party disclosures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related party disclosures (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1078 - Disclosure - Related party disclosures (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosuresDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Related party disclosures (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/RelatedPartyDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1079 - Disclosure - Supplemental information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - Supplemental information (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental information (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1081 - Disclosure - Supplemental information (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental information (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vet-20181231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1082 - Disclosure - Supplemental information (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental information (Details 3)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vermilion.com.mx/role/SupplementalInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>vet-20181231.xml</File>
    <File>vet-20181231.xsd</File>
    <File>vet-20181231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>vet-20181231_def.xml</File>
    <File>vet-20181231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>vet-20181231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.ifrs.org/taxonomy/2018-03-16/ifrs-full</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
